Canyoneering Trout Bumming
Because I had to feed my Trout Bumming addiction
on a game wardens budget I did allot of this kind of
fishing on my days off. This and rental car Trout
Bumming fit me just perfect and I often combined
them. I simply love dropping into deep remote
canyons and exploring them for a few days but I
realize this style of Trout Bumming is not for
everyone.
This information applies to the southwest and specifically Arizona,
Southwest Utah and Western New Mexico because of the
numerous unique canyons housing wild trout.
Sometimes only a small portion of a canyon may
contain fish. Most of these drainage’s were stocked
after World War Two, so a wild strain of fish have
been in them for a long time.
Wherever you live in the USA you may find my backpacking
systems/fishing methods useful and can apply them in
your local. Or maybe someday you may plan a Trout
Bumming adventure into one of these areas.
Most of the creeks that hold wild populations of fish require
backpacking trips into remote canyons. A canyon's
beauty itself has always been enough to draw me into
searching out new locations. Below is an overview of
what I do when pursuing wild trout or other warm
water fish in remote canyons. It is not the only
way. I'm sure there are others out there that have
perfected it even more. My system has evolved into a
super simple, lightweight method over the years and
may not work for everyone.
For more information on choosing canyons, click here.
Trout Bumming
Can you find the two 13 inch rainbows in this remote
canyon creek? Always study a pool first, before
planning the best approach.
The most common question we have received, is to be
more specific about remote creeks locations, holding
wild trout/fish populations. I'll answer this one
right up front and say....sorry we are not going to
specific. I have already listed how to find
information on such locations and posted a few.
Others I have not even posted because of their
sensitivity. I can recommend if one does not want to
search out areas, purchase a book, Arizona Flyfisher's Guide by Will Jordan. Will, actually
mentions a couple of creeks I wish he had not, but
kept quite about so many others thankfully. His book
is a good starting place for those new to the West or
this kind of crazy pursuit.
Fish
16" Chub
It seems most people want to pursue wild trout. But
I equally enjoy canyons that hold warm water fish
such as bass, sunfish, carp, natives and catfish.
Much of my pursuit in Arizona is during the fall,
winter and spring, so I choose lower elevations
usually 6000' or less during these times.
How Did Fish
Get There
Yes, there are wild populations of
brook trout in AZ, Remote Creek Central AZ
During the wet years of the 1980's many wildlife
departments inventoried man made stock tanks
around their states that could sustain warm/cold water
fish. They were consequently stocked and many still
remain, incredible small fisheries. These stocking
records are still available to those interested in
pursuing them.
Sunfish occupy many remote warm water creeks
throughout the west. You will always find them in
pools, rather then moving water and most dry flies
work, even a big ugly one, such as the one here.
Consider checking out deep and reliable stock tanks
around AZ for fishing. When these stock tanks flood
they push fish into canyons downstream. Thus the
reason for fish species being found in many of the
canyons listed. The same applies to trout
lakes at higher elevations, again washing trout into
canyons below dams. This is also the reason why
stocking is no longer done in many locations. The USFWS has concerns over this impacting native fish
populations downstream. Another way fish make it
into these canyon creeks, is ranchers upstream
typically stock personal fishing ponds at their
ranches and again they find their way downstream
during wet years. One example of such a drainage
near Phoenix, AZ is the upper reaches of New River.
Several large pools exist containing sunfish.
Respect private property rights
Native species
Some creeks have wild trout as well as native
chubs.
A few creeks and rivers have native species within
them. Many are closed to fishing and others are
mixed in with non native fish. They may be caught
accidentally so be sure to release them unharmed
immediately. Some rivers and creeks are open to
fishing these gems such as Fossil Creek in Arizona. Again check regulations.
Fish Size
Largemouth Bass
Most small streams mean that the fish will be small
in size, although this is not always the case. In
small trout streams a big one is 10 inches. Average
are 6 to 8 inches. The same usually goes for bass,
around 10 inches. The only place this does not hold
true is with carp and brown trout. They can grow big
in deeper holes.
Bigger brown trout usually inhabit the best
places in a pool. Try there first.
Once the creek gets wide and deeper the fish size
goes up. There was a time when big brown trout
captured my attention but today I'm just as content
catching smaller fish and that usually translates
into more fish. So I typically target these
smaller streams knowing I will be catching smaller
fish. Your interest may be different.
Regulations
Remember to carry your fishing license with you. You
might be saying to yourself no one will ever check
me in such a remote canyon. You never know. People
were always surprised when I contacted them in
remote areas over the years, so carry a fishing
license.
Several of the rainbow trout streams I fished many
years ago have changed regulations. The rainbows
have been killed and the creek restocked with native trout.
During initial restocking they are typically closed
to fishing until they can sustain such pressure.
When researching a remote stream, check the regs
first.
Equipment
Screw in cleats aid with traction when walking in
slippery creeks. Unless the water is super cold I
normally don't use waders. Instead quick drying
pants and possibly a second lightweight pair of
sandals work well.
Fishing Equipment
My system has evolved through
the years and today is very simple and light. I've
learned what works and what doesn't and carry with
me a small assortment of the working stuff.
My fishing systems are divided into 3 different
tackle arrangements.
- Small trout (below
12")
- Medium trout (above 12
") rainbows & browns, 3 weight 4 piece Sage rod
- Warm water fish
- Large brown trout.
- Time of year may
dictate patterns or if crayfish are present
Each is divided into plastic zip lock bags and I
simply pack the one needed for the planned trip.
Sometimes I carry both spin and fly equipment, but
only one rod. That rod will be my TFO 1 weight with
6 small zip ties. I use two zip ties to fasten the
spinning reel to the cork handle of the fly rod.
This actually works good for me and I can switch
back and forth between fly or spin as needed.
Tenkara rods (Japanese fly rods) work well for
this kind of canyoneering fly fishing. They are very
lightweight and fun to fish with. I like TFO's
Cutthroat model for small creeks, shown above.
The fly fishing industry have done a very good job
of marketing their products and convincing customers
they "must have" lots of equipment to ever begin to
catch fish. On top of that, good fly fishing
equipment is expensive. I too fell into the "got to
have all the latest greatest gear" years ago. Now
much of this equipment sits most of the time, except
when I
use it to teach others fly fishing. In reality, all
one needs is a decent rod/reel, some inexpensive fly
line and a few pieces of gear. I say inexpensive fly
line because most of your casts will not be long, as
many of these locations are very brushy and chocked
with rocks. A cheap weight forward floating line
will do. Also important are good tactics and
knowledge. By simply reading one can become educated
and over time, the experiences gained will make you a
better fisherman.
Waterfall pools are usually deep and hold bigger
fish. Try dangling a callibaetis nymph
imitation slowly into the pool from above and don't
fall in when you get a bite. Have a plan on how to
quickly get to your fish after playing it.
When venturing into remote canyons in search of
fish I pack lightly. My trips are usually an
overnight or two because most of these locations
require miles of off trail hiking. Sometimes
more. Create your own gear list with the style of fishing
you enjoy. I enjoy flyfishing the most but
sometimes leave the fly rod at home and choose a
spinning outfit for specific locations.
Wading
My wading equipment will probably be
different then most as I rarely fish remote
creeks during summers. During
summer, things are easy because its warm
enough to wade and swim deep pools. All one
needs is their air sleeping mattress to
place packs on, for swimming deep, steep
pools. Once done strap it to the outside of
your pack for complete drying. I always use
a trash compactor bag to line the inside of
my pack. They are light, tough and protect
contents from rain/snow and wading
accidents. Rainproof pack covers never have
worked well for me.
During the winter things become more
challenging. Below are a few ways I deal
with cold weather, winter wading. Carry an
extra pair of light wading shoes and change
into them for wading, thus keeping a pair of
shoes dry. I like using surfing socks because
they are tough,warm and comfortable. |
Supai Backpacking Lightweight Raft
|
Target stores offer umbrella
plastic bags for their customers. They are
used to place dripping umbrellas in. I wear
them outside my socks, then inside shoes.
They are fairly tall and can be secured with
a rubber band around ones leg to hold them
up.
As evening sets in and if your feet and
pants are wet, find a camping spot early.
Start a fire to dry clothes. I usually wear
my sleeping clothes, silk long underwear
with rain pants and merino wool socks, while
they are drying. As a last resort Ill carry
waders. I use an old pair with just the legs
that I have cut off, or choose an
inexpensive pair of Orvis lightweight
waders.
If I know I will be encountering deep pools
that must be swam I will use a lightweight
Supai inflatable backpacking raft. I never
carry a paddle but find a pole or 1/2 piece
of rotting log, that I use as a paddle.
Everything including myself is placed in the
raft. If you are crazy enough to fish during
cold periods, be careful |
Flyfishing
System
For
Arizona’s small fish I use a TFO 6' 9", four piece
one weight fly rod This rod goes into a short
florescent light holder for bushwhacking protection
although I have still broken it twice. My current
reel is a TFO BVK 0 fly reel, loaded with a cut down
two weight, dry fly line.
In a small zip lock bag I carry the below
equipment as well as the reel. Some of this
equipment goes into shirt pockets once I get to a
bottom of a canyon or to flowing water.
-
Gink
fly floatant is placed in a smaller
ultralight bottle.
-
Small fishing forceps with built-in
scissors. clipped to shirt.
-
1
Foam fly boxes with magnets removed and
rubber band for closing.
-
I
have my favorite flies that cover most
situations. If I had to choose only one
fly it would be a parachute Adams for
small trout.
-
1
extra leader
-
1
extra tippet spool 5x or 4x
-
2
strike indicators, many times a larger
dry fly
-
1
wool dry fly patch usually placed on
pack or shirt.
-
I do
not use a fishing vest or pouch for this
kind of fishing, Instead I find the
Simms older style Guide LS shirt works
perfect for this on the move creek
backpacking fishing. This shirt acts as
a vest with the four monster pockets. I
can carry needed flyfishing supplies in
them and it keeps my weight down. As you
can see there is no dress or
accouterments flyfishing statement made
with this kind of fishing. On the San
Juan or Big Horn rivers you would be
frowned upon.
-
I do
not use a net except for when targeting
bigger brown trout. On creeks that hold
larger brown trout I will move up to a
6weight with 3x leader/tippet.
Much of this kind of fly fishing for me
is done after midnight anyway. My brown
trout flies and tactics I have always
kept a secret.
|
|
Spinning
Outfit
If I know I will only need spinning equipment for my
trip I use a telescoping rod that fits easily into a
pack. I've tried many telescoping rods and like the
Shakespeare Travel Mate in the 4' 6" size. This is a
bait casting rod so I grind the finger hook off. For
a reel I usually take a Diowa Underspin 40XD
although I have others. The weight of a XD reel is 5
oz. These are not the smoothest reels in the world
but I'm not plastic worm fishing on either. These little reels I load with spider wire
line in 4 or 6 lb test. Always remove the prespooled line they come with because its usually poor
quality and old. Years past I always used open face
spinning reels, but for backpacking I find they were
constantly unwinding line. Underspins protect this
line within packs as well as my hard on equipment
treatment.
All my lures and equipment go into a double sided
small Plano box. Below is what I currently carry.
-
4
size 12 and 14 hooks
-
2
extra treble hooks
-
4
small split shot
-
4
swivels
-
6
zip ties
-
Mepps type spinners
-
Small twister tail grubs with weighted
hooks
-
Extra twister grubs & weighted hooks
-
2
small floating lures
-
2
small minnow lures
-
1 clear bobber
-
1
regular bobber
-
This
box weighs 4.2 ounces.
|
|
Backpacking
gear
I
subscribe to modern day ultralight backpacking
principles. My gear is very specialized as well as
homemade and today there are many cottage companies
producing such equipment. Gone are the days when I
carried 50 to 60 pound packs into the wild. I simply
adapt current ultralight systems to my form of
canyoneering and fishing. My pack and overnight
base weight is 8.5 pounds. This includes the pack,
tent, sleeping system, cook kitchen, personal
hygiene, first aid, down jacket, phone or gps, rain
gear and safety/emergency supplies. The only thing
not included is food, water and alcohol stove fuel.
The fishing system noted above may change. I
commonly treat water in these locations since it is
plenty full and calculate how much I will need to
get into these canyons. Food usually adds 1.5 to 2
pounds per day depending how strenuous the activity
will be. As you can see everything is very light
thus allowing me to move fast and comfortable.
Packs
-
Zpacks Arc
Haul
-
Osprey Exos
-
Badlands
Hypervent
-
Older REI
Flash
Tents
One person cuben fiber tent. Enough room for one
person, gear and a dog. Tent is tied upward to a
tree limb. Tent weight 8oz.
Sometimes I don't carry a tent and only a bivy to
save weight if I know its not going to rain or snow,
or if bugs or critters will not be a problem. I use
tent tarps that do not have a built in floor.
Instead I create my own light weight floor from
Polycryo. The three tents I have settled on are:
- Oware Drawcord
Bivysack 6 oz. Has a built in bugnet
- Oware sil nylon 9x9
Pyramid Tent, room for two people and gear... 21
oz
- Bear Paw Designs cuben
fiber Lair one person tarp tent... 8 oz, room
for me, dog and gear
- Pyranet 1 cuben fiber
bath tub bug net tent. Will fit under either
tent if the bugs are bad or can be used by
itself. 8 oz. Only room for 1 person
- Big Agnes Scout Plus
UL2
Note: These tents do not use poles, but instead
utilize hiking sticks which I rely on to get me in
and out of canyons. A wooden stick can also be used
or tied upward to a tree limb.
You can also use an off road vehicle to get you
close to the canyon side walls, set up a base camp
there and use daylight to access a specific part of
the canyon. One can quickly pull camp, move to
another area, set up a base camp again and do the
same thing over and over. This can work good if you
don't want to sleep in the bottoms of deep canyons.
Sleeping
systems
I don't use a sleeping bag unless its below
freezing, but instead prefer a down quilt. I have
experimented with hammocks but they can be cold
sleeping in cooler temps.
- Gossamer Gear Thinlite
pad 8 oz.... or a Therm-a-rest Neo air mattress
12 oz
- Hammock Gear Burrow 40
quilt. 17 oz
- Western Mountaineering
20 degree down sleeping bag, 1 pound 13 oz. Used
during below freezing temps
- Goosefeet Down Booties
2 oz
Note...I use the same sleeping/ tent systems for
camping from a motorcycle, ATV or backpacking.
Locating
Possible Fishing Locations
I've mentioned before how to locate possible
fishable canyons. Look over maps, possible routes in
and out, stable springs and use Google Earth to
evaluate them. Evaluate old records and ask
questions. Look for large upstream water
catchments.
Getting There
Next decide the best method to get you close for
hiking. This could involve an ATV, 4x4 vehicle,
motorcycle, horse or mule. Ask a friend to join you
and plan the rest of the trip. You may find you were
wrong or maybe find a real hot spot!
Tactics
Small
creek fishing is very simple. Most Arizona small
creek fish live in pools. I hike until I reach
potential pools and take a moment to watch the pool
for rises or look for fish on the bottom. Once
located the first cast is usually the most important
one, so I try and get it right. With large trout this
is critical. With smaller fish not so much and most
are eager to take a fly. With small fish, fly
selection is usually not as important unless there
is a hatch going on. At first they will take
anything but once released they run back to their
friends and spread the word fast and the bite
quickly dies. Just kidding but it sure seems like
it. If you cant see any fish or activity, bigger
fish usually occupy the best spots within a pool.
Try there first.
My small creek casting
tactics would probably be frowned upon by the
National Federation of Flyfishers. It is pretty much
what ever works to get the fly out there. Two casts
I often use are the bow and arrow cast and roll
cast. Of course if there is room traditional
casting. But often climbing rock ledges and
carefully dropping flies below into good areas,
works great. Once a pool shuts down which is usually
less than 5 minutes, I move on to the next pool.
Eddies, beaver dams, creek turns can have areas of
water that is not moving, where fish may be
also. Remember fish don't want to work real hard and
will choose the easiest places to make a living.
Usually a pool where they do not have to constantly
expend energy. Each stream has its own character and
uniqueness. Unless the pool is very large or I'm
going to take a break I leave my pack on and fish.
Plan
on getting your feet wet. I normally do not carry
waders with me. I cross where its safe to do so and
wade in cold water. Many times this may mean
partially climbing out of the canyon to continue
upstream. Oh that's right I usually fish up stream.
Sometimes a route in does not allow this though. In
creeks that have slippery bottoms I use screw in
cleats to aid in walking. Carry extra socks to
change into later. You may choose a lightweight
river shoe for walking in water. I also like surfer
neoprene booties. Another thing that works is the
next time you are in a Target store, take a few
umbrella plastic bags that they place out front, for
customers to place their leaky umbrellas in. These
fit feet perfectly and are tall. These actually work
pretty good when wearing them outside your socks,
inside shoes and a rubber band around the upper leg
will hold them up.
Be sneaky when moving up on a pool. Use a tree for cover.
Safety
Canyon Rescue
Always tell someone where you are going and when you
plan on returning. Consider using a Spot rescue
receiver. Never venture into canyons during monsoon
or spring snow melt. Consider debarbing all your
hooks for yourself not only the fish and I speak
from experience here. Don't take unnecessary risks
and be more careful . Where you enter the canyon
bottom, mark this area well with something you will
recognize when its time to exit. Use a GPS or smart
phone back country app to track your self so you
don't become lost. Carry an extra battery for this.
There are some areas where wild trout populations
reside, such as in the Sierra Ancha mountain range,
that also have hi bear density populations. Practice
bear safety rules and further wash up as good as you
can each night before bed, thus removing fish smell
from your hands. Consider carrying bear spray. Never sleep overnight in canyon
bottoms, instead sleep above the canyon. You will
stay warmer this way as well as safe.
Bear Scat
Applying
Canyoneering Fishing Elsewhere
Wild brook trout from high in the Smokey
Mountains, TN
I enjoy this kind of fishing so much that I apply
the same principles in other states such as
Colorado, Montana, California, Tennessee and
Wyoming. Last year for instance I had a short photo
job in Tennessee and planned a week long backpacking
route in the Smokey mountains pursuing wild brook
trout. I logged over 50 miles hiking up canyons, exited certain points, caught a hiking trail over to
another canyon and did the same thing. I never ran
into a soul except on some well traveled trails. The
fishing and scenery was fantastic with the only
problem being, dealing with black bears, in one area
over night.
Put them back
Lastly I always put the
fish back I catch. Sometimes Ill keep sunfish or
bass and make them an evening meal. Most Southwest remote creeks are simply to sensitive to keep fish.
When you find a stream that contains wild fish keep
it a secrete. If you share the location on average
each person will share it with seven other people
and they will share it with seven more and......,
well before you know it your little stream is fished
out. The only reason these places still exist is
because of their remoteness and not telling others.
I hope I have answered
future questions on this page. Travel safe and with
someone when you go canyoneering fishing. Consider
sending us a photo of a wild fish you caught in the
future. Don't tell us where though.
|